Multiprotocol chat client VoxOx is offering a deal to CNET readers until 2:30 p.m. PST on Thursday, April 9. If you buy $5 worth of VoxPoints, instead of the usual 500 points, CNET readers will get 1,500 points. This is triple the number of points VoxOx is offering readers who sign on through VoxOx's own site. Each point converts to 1 minute's worth of talk time. New users will still receive the additional 120 free points, and can earn another additional 120 free points for referring a friend.

I reviewed the cross-platform VoxOx back in November, and it's been slowly improving on its potential to compete with better-known VoIP and multiprotocol chat clients. The most unique feature that it offers is CallBack, which users can initiate either from their computer or an SMS message to make international calls for the cost of a local one.

The program still struggles with stability and sluggish start-up times, and that makes it a hard sell. Still, if you need to talk internationally from your local cell phone, VoxOx offers an inexpensive solution. To take advantage of the promotion, enter "cnet1000" without the quotes when you download and install the program.